For days, Isfahan has been adorned with the phrase “24,000 and Me,” a testament to the upcoming event that has captured the city’s attention. Making my way to The Isfahan Musalla. As I turned onto Ayatollah Khansari Street, I was greeted by a heartwarming sight: volunteers eagerly assisting those in need, pushing wheelchairs and offering a helping hand. Every few steps, a new stall beckoned, each a testament to the community’s involvement.
Lawyers for Justice
The first booth belongs to the “Basij of Lawyers”. Here, a non-governmental organization is collecting forms from people who wish to file lawsuits against the US government and the Pahlavi dynasty. I inquired about the outcome of these collected lawsuits. The official responded, “These lawsuits will be pursued by revolutionary lawyers in Tehran’s courts to claim the rights of the people in various areas, including the massacre of 17,000 Iranians by the Mojahedin-e Khalq Organization, the martyrdom of the defenders of the shrine, the imposed Iran-Iraq war, and more.”
The next booth showcases the equipment of the 14th Imam Hussein Division, the Najaf Division, the Qamar Bani Hashim Division, and other divisions from Isfahan. On display are various types of mines and explosive devices used by ISIS against Iranian forces in Lebanon and Syria. Booth officials provide visitors with detailed information about these deadly weapons.
Regarding the present students
A few steps further, I arrived at the booth of the Isfahan Province Basij Student Organization. A student stood up and explained, “Our booth is dedicated to Martyr Yahya Sanavar. We have created a display symbolizing the moment when the martyr was engaged in struggle until the very end of his life.” I then noticed other students inviting people to become journalists and report on the news from Gaza and Lebanon. When I asked them why, they replied, “We are doing this to raise awareness among people about the events of the ‘Resistance Front’ and to foster greater solidarity between the people of Iran and the people of the resistance.”
Beyond the student organization’s booth, I encountered the “Preservation Center,” a repository of martyrs’ legacies. Here, the martyrs’ testaments were categorized and presented to the public in relation to contemporary societal issues. Adjacent to this was the booth for the 24000 Martyrs Congress of Isfahan Province. Visitors were invited to choose a plaque, each containing the name of a martyr and a code. Upon listening to the audio associated with the code, they would receive a spiritual reward and share their reflections.
Efforts to correct a misconception
Finally, I arrived at the booth dedicated to Martyr Abdulrasoul Zarrin. The staff were working to correct misconceptions about the martyr by introducing him to visitors. To achieve this, they have produced cultural products such as dishes and stationery featuring images of the martyr. Additionally, they have published a special edition titled “Sniper” about Martyr Zarrin.
